HomeMy WebLinkAboutTaxi Advisory Committee Minutes July 28, 2009_201402041306564936Taxi Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes for July 28, 2009
Called to order at: 10:00 am
Location: Town Building Conference Room
Members Present: All
Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson reviewed the membership of the committee, its charge and
its appointing authority (Town Manager). She explained that when she is not present at the
meetings, Lt. MacVicar will run them. Jon St. Laurent agreed to take the meeting minutes for
meetings subsequent to July 28, 2009.
The following items were discussed:
1. The status of taxi meters, ie, is the Board of Selectmen requiring them, what is the basis
for seeking them, what is the Committee supposed to be doing in regard to them.
It was agreed that the Committee members would be provided with the most recent Board of
Selectmen meeting minutes and/or notes about this issue, for further discussion at the next
meeting, along with the current Taxi Regulations. Mr. St. Laurent agreed to provide a packet of
information about meters that he had prepare some months ago on behalf of the Taxi
Association.
2. Taxi regulation enforcement. Wendy Watts expressed concern about “rogue” cabs. A
discussion followed about enforcement of regulations and how complaints are handled by the
Police Department. Lt. Angus MacVicar explained the complaint follow-up protocol and
emphasized that at the very least, complaints must be timely, and include a date, time, cab name,
vehicle description and/or or license number and specific nature of complaint. Ms. Watts
suggested that complaint forms be required by the regulations to be present in cabs. Ms. Watts
agreed to draft a complaint form for the Committee to review at the next meeting. She also
suggested posting the form on the Town’s website.
It was also agreed to keep a running list of items to recommend for inclusion in the regulations,
the next time updates/amendments occur and to put this item on that list.
3. Rate sheet. Discussion occurred about the possibility/need to re-format the rate sheet. It
was agreed to make this an item of future discussion.
4. Receipts. Ms. Watts noted that the regulations currently mention the need for a receipt
but that the wording is vague. Discussion followed as to a specific format and/or requirement to
provide. Agreed to make this a future item for regulation amendment.
5. Dress code. Discussion followed as to enforcement of the dress code and complaints
about violations and the possibility of the Taxi Association or the Town sending a letter to all
licensees reminding them of the dress code and the consequences of violations. It was agreed that
Ms. Watts would draft a letter for the Committee’s review at the next meeting.
6. Other. Lt. MacVicar agreed to bring some examples of recent complaints to the next
meeting.
Discussion occurred regarding establishing a webpage for the Committee on the Town’s website.
7. Future issues. It was agreed that future issues for discussion, in addition to what was
identified today, would include: programs with restaurants, reduction in number of licenses;
fares.
8. Future meetings. The next meetings will be August 11, 2009 and August 25, 2009 both at
10:00 am. The Town Administration office will post the meetings.
Adjourned at 11:15 am.
Minutes approved the 11th day of August, 2009.